Application Requirements

Applicants must apply through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) of the American College of Associates (AAMC). We offer a fully ACGME-accredited training program in Family Medicine.

Applications must include the following:

MSPE/Medical school dean's letter
Curriculum Vitae
Medical School Transcript
United States Medical Licensing Examination scores
- Scores from USMLE Step 1 & 2 or COMLEX 1 & 2 with first time attempt will have priority.
- We do not have program minimum cutoff scores for consideration.
- USMLE Step 2 CK and CS or COMLEX Step 2 CE and PE are not required for the initial application. Osteopathic students are not required to take the USMLE examinations.
Current photograph
Three letters of reference
Personal statement including pertinent biographical information, career goals and your motivation for family medicine. Please limit to one page.

Interviews are scheduled during the months of November and December and are by invitation only. You will receive an invitation to interview when your application file has been reviewed by the Residency Selection Committee. It is recommended that applications be filed as early as possible as the interview schedule fills very quickly. Those applications which are received promptly and are the most complete are more likely to receive interviews.

Please be informed that by participating in the National Resident Matching Program, you are applying for a first-year residency position only. If you feel that you may be eligible for an advanced position within our program, please inform us of this promptly. Otherwise, if you participate in the NRMP and are matched with us, we will consider this a binding agreement for you to enter our program as a first-year resident.

International Medical Graduates:

International medical school graduates must include proof of passing scores on both the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX), and Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) examinations, and a copy of your current ECFMG certificate. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens will need to provide proof of employment eligibility.

Please include a current Medical Board of California letter stating that you are eligible to commence postgraduate training in California and a current Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate.
The university will not sponsor a J-1 or H-1 Visa for postgraduate medical education training.
Clinical experience with supportive letters in the United States is strongly recommended for international graduates.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement:

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy*, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

*Pregnancy includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.

Interview Process

Our interview season runs from early November to mid-December. The day includes a program presentation and 2 one-on-one interviews with faculty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your program unique among others?

Our residents train with world-renowned specialists at UCI Health, Orange County’s only university hospital. UCI Health is home to Orange County’s only Level I trauma center, regional burn center, and one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. We are particularly proud of the innovative programs we have developed that support teaching future family physicians, including the following:

PRIME-LC Track, dedicated to training physicians to serve the Latino community. It is the first program of its kind in the nation.
Sports Medicine Fellowship, a one-year training program, to prepare physicians for diverse musculoskeletal training in an NCAA Division I academic setting.
Geriatrics Fellowship, a one-year comprehensive, advanced training program designed to prepare physicians to care for older adults.
UCI Outreach Clinics, a student-run free clinic, and residency rotation.

Where do the residents live?

Some apartment complexes near the hospital that are popular are Gateway apartments, Arroyo Vista, and Terrace apartments. The majority live in Irvine, Tustin, and Orange. For those of you who have a family, you can’t find a better school district or nicer neighborhoods than the ones in these cities. You can also find areas just as nice and close in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Fullerton. Depending on where you’re coming from, it’s usually a 20 to 30-minute drive to the Family Health Center in Santa Ana. There are plenty of things to do like go to the beach, visit new restaurants and go shopping. Long Beach is also a great option. It is close to a lot of our rotation sites including Long Beach VA and Miller Children’s Hospital.

Is there a lot of driving time?

The main sites of our residency program are UCIMC in Orange, Orange County Global Medical Center in Tustin, and our home base, Family Health Center (FHC) in Santa Ana. All three are right off the 5 freeway, and only a few exits apart. In fact, all three sites can be reached by local streets, approximately 3-4 miles apart from each other. During your first year, you also go to Long Beach VA.

Can residents moonlight?

Yes, during the R-3 year. Our residents have taken advantage of moonlighting opportunities at local urgent cares, community clinics, and Kaiser locations.

Where do residents work after graduation?

Most of our residents stay in Southern California after residency. Many have gone to complete fellowships in Sports Medicine, Geriatrics, Palliative Care, and Women’s Health. Most recently, residents that have gone into academic medicine or community health centers in underserved areas. Some of our residents go into group practices or private practice.

A few examples:

Sports Medicine Fellowships at Long Beach Memorial and OHSU in Portland, Oregon
Geriatric Fellowship at UCI
Family Health Centers of San Diego
UCI Health Medical Group
AltaMed
Kaiser Permanente
HealthCare Partners
UCI Family Health Center

What kind of patients will I see?

Orange County is one of the most diverse places in the nation. Long Beach further adds diversity to our patient population. Residents will see patients from a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Our patients are our teachers. Many have complex chronic diseases that require coordination of care among us, the primary care physicians, and the specialists as well as our support staff.

At our Family Health Center in Santa Ana:

43. 6 percent of patients are served in a language other than English.
3/4 of our patients identify as Hispanic/Latino.
3/4 of patients use MediCal as their primary insurance.

What if I fail Step 1 or 2?

Our Residency Selection Committee takes a holistic approach when reviewing applications. Although we prioritize those who have passed Step 1 and 2 on their first attempt, we will consider applicants who have failed once yet hold strong qualifications in other areas of their application. Passing both Step exams is strictly required prior to starting residency.

Does your training program accept DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students for residency?

Yes, we accept students who have DACA.

*We are planning for a remote Fall 2023 interview season*